The host of “Thursday Night Football” on Fox Sports and Amazon Prime Video, Charissa Thompson, has issued an apology for her previous admission that, during her time as an NFL sideline reporter, she had made up stories.
In an interview with the “Pardon My Take” podcast, Thompson acknowledged creating false reports, which was published on Wednesday. To add more context for broadcasts, sideline reporters share information they have learned from coaches and players during NFL games.
“I haven’t been fired for saying it, but I’ll say it again, I would make up the report sometimes because, A, the coach wouldn’t come out at half-time or it was too late and I was like, I didn’t want to screw up the report, so I was like, ‘I’m just gonna make this up,’” Thompson told the “Pardon My Take” podcast.
“No coach is gonna get mad if I say, ‘Hey, we need to stop hurting ourselves, we need to be better on third down, we need to stop turning the ball over and do a better job of getting off the field,’” added Thompson, who started work as an NFL sideline reporter for Fox Sports during the late 2000s.
“Like, they’re not gonna correct me on that. I’m like, it’s fine, I’ll just make up the report.”
Former ESPN afternoon host Thompson currently hosts “NFL Kickoff” on Sundays on Fox Sports and “Thursday Night Football” on Amazon Prime Video.
She clarified remarks she made in the podcast in a statement that she shared on Instagram on Friday.
“When on a podcast this week, I said I would make up reports early in my career when I worked as a sideline reporter before I transitioned to my current host role,” she said.
“Working in the media I understand how important words are and I chose wrong words to describe the situation. I’m sorry. I have never lied about anything or been unethical during my time as a sports broadcaster.
“In the absence of a coach providing any information that could further my report I would use information that I learned and saw during the first half to create my report. For example if a team was 0 for 7 on 3rd down, that would clearly be an area they need to improve on in the second half. In these instances I never attributed anything said to a player or coach.
“I have nothing but respect for the sideline reporters and for the tireless work they put in behind the scenes and on the field. I am only appreciative and humbled to work alongside some of the best in the business and call them some of my best friends.”
Many other sports journalists, including ESPN reporter Lisa Salters, had criticized her remarks on the podcast.
“Shocked. Disappointed. Disgusted. What we heard today called all sideline reporters into question,” Salters said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“My job is an honor, a privilege and a craft at which I have worked so hard… Trust and credibility. They mean everything to a journalist.
“To violate either one – in any way – not only makes a mockery of the profession, but is a disservice to players, coaches and, most importantly, to fans.”
Reporter Chris Kirschner of The Athletic expressed a similar opinion.
“A good portion of the public doesn’t trust the media as is,” Kirschner said on X.
“I cannot believe she would proudly admit this. This causes significant harm to the people who actually take the job seriously. It’s entirely unethical and worthy of never working in the field again.”
Fox Sports and Amazon were contacted by CNN for comments, but as of the time of publication, no response had been received.
Thompson has previously acknowledged fabricating reports. In 2022, Thompson claimed in her own “Calm Down” podcast that she “made up a report” in 2008 while working as a sideline reporter.
